Rusty: I'll tell you.
Michael Angelis: Replied Rusty and then the little engine did.
Rusty: Skarloey was working the line to the slate mine in the mountains. When the snow came, it was difficult to work. They used the snow as a double buffer zone to help stop trucks skidding through to the ravine. One day, Skarloey set off to the mine with some empty trucks. Meanwhile, there was trouble at the mine. The winch that holds the trucks up and down wasn't working properly. Skarloey had reached the ravine. High above him were the mine yards.
Driver: That snow looks dangerous.
Rusty: Said his driver.
Driver: The sound of your engine and the trucks could cause an avalanche. I'll set off an emergency cap and see what happens.
Rusty: Skarloey watched as the driver prepared it. Then they ran over the cap. (Boom!) The bang echoed around the gorge. Nothing happened.
Driver: Good.
Rusty: Said his driver.
Driver: All's well. We'll have a cup of cocoa and then make our way.
Rusty: But high above them, all was not well. A long line of full trucks was about to be winched down the slope. They had just started their journey when some empty trucks became derailed. The winch groaned.
Trucks: Break it! Snap it!
Rusty: Shouted the trucks. And they did.
Trucks: On, on, on, faster, faster!
Rusty: They giggled.
Workman: The snowbank and buffers will stop them.
Rusty: Said a workman. But he was wrong. The trucks plunged into the ravine. Skarloey and his driver heard the noise and looked up.
Skarloey/Driver: Avalanche!
Rusty: They cried.
(The avalanche starts to bury Skarloey completely)
Rusty: When the snow ploom clear, there was no sign of Skarloey. He was buried deep inside the high drift blocking the ravine. And then came the funny part.
Rusty: Well... No one knew that the heat from Skarloey's engine had helped to make an igloo.
Man #1: It's a snowball.
Man #2: It's a snowhouse.
Man #3: It's an engine!
Rusty: They cleared away the ice only to find Skarloey's driver and fireman drinking cocoa as if nothing had happened.
Thomas: Luckily for them. But it just goes to show you can't trust trucks.
Rusty: Or snow.
Michael Angelis: Said Rusty.
Michael Angelis: The men had just cleared the snow away from him when Gordon puffed by with his machine.
Gordon: Hey look out, there's snow about.
Michael Angelis: Laughed Gordon. He stopped by the tunnel and wheeshed loudly. Then it happened.
Gordon: Uh oh. (The avalanche falls on top of Gordon, completely burying him) Help!
Michael Angelis: Cried Gordon.
Thomas: If Skarloey survived the snowfall and laughed, surely a big proud engine like you can do the same.
Michael Angelis: Chuckled Thomas.
Gordon: Pah!
Michael Angelis: Moaned Gordon and then fell as silent as the snow.